SOUTHPORT ON FULL BOAR FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR
THE streets of Chinatown in Southport were buzzing with atmosphere on Saturday night as thousands of people celebrated the Lunar New Year.
Southport was injected with Asian culture and attendees were treated to street food markets, traditional performances, music and fireworks.
It was the first time Helensvale resident Cody Hamilton had been to the event and he said he would be back next year.
“It was really enjoyable for the first time,” he said.
Mr Hamilton came for the cultural experience and wasn’t disappointed.
“I tried a bunch of different food and watched a few of the shows.”
About 16,000 people were expected to flock to Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year with a bang.
Musician Xiaotong Li, 22, was one of the acts on the night who performed a tradition Chinese melody from her bamboo flute.
The Lunar New Year celebrations have been happening on the Gold Coast since Chinatown first opened in 2014, making this year the fifth year, and Councillor Dawn Crichlow said numbers had grown each year.
This year is the year of the pig, and is said to bring wealth and prosperity.
The traditional Chinese holiday began on Tuesday and more than 40,000 visitors are expected to stay on the Gold Coast, bringing $20 million to the economy.